Donation barriers, enablers, patterns and predictors of milk bank donors in the United States and United Kingdom

Bibliographic Data

ID15535799
AuthorsBruna Gutierrez dos Santos (0000-0001-7135-2669, University of North Carolina at Greensboro), Natalie Shenker (0000-0002-8067-1079, Imperial College London), Gillian Weaver (0000-0002-7556-1852, Rothamsted Research), Maryanne T Perrin (0000-0002-1645-8310, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume20
Issue3
Pagese13652-e13652
Publication date2024-04-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13652
PMID38606492
OpenAlexW4394761218
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited8

Pasteurised donor human milk is recommended for very low birthweight infants who do not have access to their mother's milk. Although the use of donor milk continues to increase, little is known about the donation experiences of milk bank donors. We aimed to describe and compare enablers, barriers and patterns of human milk donation and identify factors predicting donation volume in a convenience sample of approved milk bank donors in the United Kingdom and the United States. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from August 2022 to December 2022. Approved milk bank donors (n = 556) from three milk banks in the United States (n = 369, Mothers' Milk Bank of Florida, Mother's Milk Bank of North Texas and Northwest Mothers Milk Bank) and one milk bank in the United Kingdom (n = 187, Hearts Milk Bank) completed the survey. A substantial portion of donors in both settings reported participating in other forms of milk exchange (51% of U.S. donors vs. 39% of UK donors, p = 0.009). Top donation barriers reported in both settings were completing the serological screening and having enough space to store collected milk. Most donors started donating when their infant was 3 months old or older and reported donating mature milk. The most common source of information related to milk banking in each setting was the internet (United Kingdom-70% vs. United States - 63%, p = 0.112). Variables that predicted lifetime donation volume differed between the United States and the United Kingdom, highlighting the importance of setting-specific milk banking research

Donation · Economic growth · Environmental health · Family medicine · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Infant Nutrition and Health · Medicine

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